Research Services

Not able to visit us in person? The Arkansas State Archives offers limited research services to our patrons who cannot make it to one of our three locations. We currently offer up to two hours of free research.

A description of the information or record type for which you are looking

Any names, dates, counties, etc. you have that will help us narrow the search

Within three to four days of submitting your request, you will receive a reply confirming that we received your email. Our staff will contact you if more information is needed. Depending on the number of research requests our staff is processing at the moment, it may be one to three weeks after confirmation of your request before the results are delivered to you. Please note that while the State Archives is glad to help with your request, we sometimes receive a high volume of email. If you feel your question is urgent, you may want to call us directly.

While our main location in Little Rock contains records from all over the state, our two regional branch archives, the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA) and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives (SARA) house region-specific collections, and may have more access to local town or family records. Due to limited staff at our regional archives, however, it is possible that there may be research requests they are unable to fulfill, which will be transferred to the staff at our main Little Rock offices.

Ordering Copies

To order physical or digital copies of materials in SARA's holdings, please email southwest.archives@arkansas.gov with the title or description of the materials and whether you wish to purchase a photocopy or scan. Our photocopies are priced by the page, and media reproductions are priced by the size and type of the reproduction ordered. All of our pricing information can be found here.

After you contact us with your order information, a staff member will locate the materials to determine an accurate page count or size, and then contact you with the price of your order. After receiving the page count or size and the price of the order, please fill out the appropriate order form located below, and mail it and a check, money order, or cash payment to:
Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives
P.O. Box 134
Washington, Arkansas 71862

Your requested copies will be delivered to you by return mail, or can be picked up at our offices. Please note that the Arkansas State Archives is unable to take payment by credit or debit card. If orders require additional research, a staff member will contact you before the research is conducted.

If the materials are being requested for use in any type of publication (e.g., scholarly, commercial, online), please complete the Permission to Use Form located below, including in it the title and nature of your project.

Ordering MicrofilmThe Arkansas State Archives makes copies from its extensive collection of over 3,000 Arkansas newspaper titles available for sale to the general public and to institutions. Currently, the cost for a reel of duplicate silver film is $80 plus shipping and handling. If you would like to order microfilm please email Tim Schultz, Archival Manager of Imaging and Preservation, tim.schultz@arkansas.gov with the following information:

Roll Numbers

Newspaper Titles

Dates on those rolls

City

Tim will complete a Microfilm Order Form with the total cost for you to approve and sign.

Payment for microfilm orders in the form of a check made out to the “Arkansas State Archives” can be mailed to: Arkansas State Archives, One Capitol Mall, Room 2B-215, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201.